(Aside to the hipness-challenged, not that any of them would be reading this column: Ludacris is a rapper. One of his songs is “Number One Spot,” and the lyrics include “Scheme scheme, plot plot (say what?)/I’m comin’ for that number one spot! (Woo, hey).”)

No subterfuge or psychodrama for Kaepernick, which is refreshing.

Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman sneak off to North Carolina for a Peyton Manning peep show. Smith sneaks off to Florida for a semi-secret tryout. Tom Condon, the agent for Smith and Manning, zigs and zags in the shadows. It’s like a convention of Russian spies.

Except Kaepernick, who has no hidden agenda.

In these times of turmoil, Kaepernick’s positive attitude might not be much comfort to 49ers’ fans, but it should be. He’s the eye of the hurricane.

The jury is still out on Smith – emerging star or moderately efficient game manager? Manning is the Bride of Frankenstein, held together with hardware.

Kaepernick is here, he’s in gear, and he’s got no fear. He’s signed and he’s healthy.

And confident. I believe the kids call it “swag.” That’s something Alex Smith never oozed, although last season he did experience a confidence boost, finally getting a chance to play for a real coach.

The 49ers probably feel Kaepernick, 24, is a year or two away from being ready for the starting job, but Kaepernick doesn’t feel that way.

Last year, possibly because Harbaugh wanted to bolster Smith’s confidence, Kaepernick, the Turlock Tornado, was kept under wraps. He got into three games, briefly, throwing five passes (completing three, all against Tampa Bay).

Could a second-year quarterback lead an NFL team to a Super Bowl championship? Ask Ben Roethlisberger or Tom Brady; they both did. Roethlisberger did it in the 2005 season, as a 23-year-old, although he also started as a rookie. Brady did it in the 2001 season, at age 24, after he inherited the starting job three games into the season.

What Kaepernick has going for him: He’s 6-4 (as are Brady and Roethlisberger), a long but sturdy 230 pounds, with a very strong arm, and he can run. He has Randall Cunningham-type scampering skills. Smith and Manning don’t.

Kaepernick has been working for almost a year under the word’s greatest quarterback molder, Harbaugh. No other QB mentor combines Harbaugh’s working experience, technical knowledge, teaching skills and knack for morale-building.

Harbaugh had only glowing things to say about Kaepernick last year, either because Harbaugh sees great potential there, or because Harbaugh would say glowing things about his grandma if she was his backup quarterback. If you play for Harbaugh, he has your back.

Even if Smith returns, the situation is different this time. He will still get Harbaugh’s full public support, but the bond between coach and quarterback may have been damaged by recent events. They might not be golf buddies anymore.

Smith kept the starting job all last season because there was no real option, and because his efficiency stayed at a high level. Smith (and the 49ers) won the opening game last year, then lost a game (in OT), then ran off eight straight wins.

What happens if Smith (and the 49ers) hit an early three-game losing streak, and Smith shows slippage? Warming up in the bullpen …

Kaepernick doesn’t need to scheme scheme plot plot. That’s what everyone else is doing. All he has to do is get ready and wait for the call to ball. Woo, hey.